@ Home, Lately {Budget-Friendly Spring Decorations}

It really felt like spring yesterday! With the sunlight peeping through the glass door at the breakfast nook, I was inspired  to embellish our little breakfast buffet table.  Nothing fancy, just the little things that make me happy ... a little reminder ... that no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

It didn't cost me much to put these things together. Look around your house and take advantage of what you already have. For more tips on how to put up a spring decorations without breaking your piggy bank, scroll down ....

•  Make your own bird's nest from twigs from your backyard, that is if you can't find a real bird's nest. Mine was courtesy of the sparrows that made our backyard their home last spring. As soon as Mr. and Mrs. sparrows and their 3 little chicklets left, I took care of the nest. I have collected 3 nest in the last 2 years - they are free {I guess its the birds' way of thanking me for the nice stay :-)} and add a nice touch to any spring or Easter decorations.  
• Use colored glass serving plates you already have in your kitchen. I love using cake stand because they add height to something you want to be highlighted on the display.
• Garage sales are excellent source of cute decorations for any season and you pay almost nothing. The glass lamp and the metal bike plant holder were already somebody's "trash" but now treasures in our home.
• Always add plants in your spring decorations. Spring is not complete without them. Again, they need not to be expensive plants (unless you already have them). I got my Hyacith and Kalanchoe from Wall-mart for 2 bucks. The key for them to last is to re-plant them using better soil {thanks to my hubby for re-planting all my 'spring' babies}.
• Last but definitely not the least, add fun or little surprises to your  decorations. Mine are the little chocolate eggs on the nest. I know how my husband loves these little goodies so it was the fist thing he noticed. Sure I have to replenish the eggs regularly because they will 'hatch' every time my husband is near. Who cares? that's part of the plan!

Spring to life! It is a new beginning! Thank God for spring!

Friday Mussing

Bites and Nibbles @ {the newly renovated} Kelsey's

Three Fridays ago, my colleagues in the marketing department threw a "thank-you-and-don't-think-you-can-get-away-from-us" lunch for me before I move on to my new role in sales.  For this impromptu festivity, we went to the newly renovated Kelsey's along Queensway. I passed by this restaurant several times already but I never thought the place was Kelsy's because of the artsy design of the building. Inside was even more different from the "regular"  neighborhood bar and grill Kelsey's that I know. The vibe was more upbeat, hip and modern catering to young adults and working class looking for a place to unwind after work.

By and large, the food was OK - I enjoyed the crispy wanton nachos and the Asian inspired lettuce-chicken wrap. The guys gave thumbs up to the Holy Blank 7-layer-burger {what is it with guys and burgers?}.

If you are looking for the "old" Kelsey's atmosphere for a weekend family lunch or dinner, mom and dad may have some adjusting to do. I wouldn't mind going back though.

Kelsey's Queensway
1011 The Queensway
Toronto

Project Life | Week Seven

Here's another post on my Project Life album. I am actually up to date in creating my weekly spread but I don't have the time to take photos of the layouts. Lately, I get home from work later than usual therefore the lighting in my craft studio is not ideal. To say the least, I am still having fun working on this project.

Week seven captured our Valentine's Day to Family Day weekend getaway in Ellicotteville New York.

I combined store bought journals and my own designed inserts. I worked on it digitally then print and add embellishments. And viola!

My Kind of Store : St. Lawrence Market

Once, I chanced upon  an article entitled 'It's Always Market Day Somewhere" where the author shared her love for visiting various markets around the world. Every place from all corners of the world has something to offer - from the fruits of the field to the jewels of the sea and everything in between. I felt the writer's passion about markets for the simple reason that I love going to markets myself.

It started many moons ago. While other kids my age found joy in  going to candy stores, I am drawn to wet markets. I remember tagging along with my mom or my paternal grandma Lola Tacing every weekend in various markets for fresh produce, seafood, meat, and sweets. I was fascinated by how serious the discussions were over a piece of meat or a kind of fish that will go well with a particular dish. The sweet scent along the fruit isle when "langka" {jackfruit} is in season will forever be part of my sensory treasures.

As an adult, my fascination for markets is more alive than ever. Traveling to various places around the world added fuel to my passion. When in town, I will always find a reason or two to visit one of the best markets I've been to - the St. Lawrence Market in the heart of Toronto.

On Saturdays, this place is a shopping mecca for foodies - antipasti, cheese, jams, fresh oyters and even free wine tasting from Peller Estates Winery {their Private Reserve Baco Noir is good}.

Searching for game meats or turtle meat for your recipe?

Sometimes I wonder if there is market in heaven. If none, I'm glad I am enjoying my "piece of heaven" on earth. And I am even more thankful that it is always market day somewhere!

Bites and Nibbles @ Debbie's Boutique Café

After a very late Friday night out with hubby, there is nothing more beautiful to my ears than him saying "Let's not prepare lunch, let's just have  brunch outside" the following morning! Out we went and tried Debbie's Boutique Café in Ajax.

We were greeted by Debbie herself  and introduced me to her selection of fine teas. I am sold after that!

The place has an eclectic, homey feel specially the back end area. The tea (I had vanilla and jasmine) was delicious and I really enjoyed the fresh fruit bowl (banana, strawberry. kiwi and apple) topped with Greek yoghourt, crunchy granola and drizzled with pure maple syrup.

I saw a round dining table at the very back of the room decorated with dainty tea cups. Maybe I will book this table one afternoon with some girlfriends for an afternoon tea!

On the glass counter was a great selection of cupcakes, squares and tempting tarts. I almost gave in to the temptations but decided to reserve them for our next visit - maybe an after dinner treat on a Friday night.


 Debbie's Boutique Café
94 Harwood Avenue South
Ajax, Ontario

 

Where in the world : Winter in Ellicotteville New York

Ellicotteville is quaint village in Cattaraugus County in western New York. This place is a mecca for skiers and and other sports enthusiasts. We are not skiers ourselves but had a great time enjoying the beauty the vibes this town has to offer! 

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Melt Squares and Smokey Bacon

It all started with a quick trip to Hy-Hope Farm on a cold Sunday morning ....

 

.... for a big cup of hot apple cider, freshly baked bran and nut muffins, tomato salsa, butter tarts and this smokey bacon.

 

Since we were bracing for another polar vortex warning that day, I was craving for a comfort food where I can use the smokey bacon. I fried it to a crisp and thought of eating it with hot boiled rice with lots of ketchup - oh the comfort food of my youth! But then I decided to make something fancy out of the Campbell's tomato soup I found in the pantry. Instead of plain croutons, I topped the soup with grilled Chedar cheese melt squares and smokey bacon crisp.

 

The saltiness of the cheese melting in between the crusty grilled bread complementing the sweet and creamy tomato soup is tried and tested comfort food. But the smokey flavor of the crispy bacon made this dish a true gustatory delight!

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Melt Squares and Smokey Bacon

Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

2 small cans Campbell's condensed tomato soup 

1/4 cup water

3/4 cup  milk

1/2 tsp dried  rosemary or tarragon

1 tsp ground pepper

Procedure:

Heat the soup, water, and milk in a medium pot over medium heat until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally

Season with herb and ground pepper

Serve in individual bowl topped with grilled cheese melt squares and crispy bacon

Best wine pairing : Sauvignon Blanc

 

Grilled Cheese Melt Squares

 

Ingredients:

4 tbsp butter

4 pieces sandwich bread (I used Country Harvest ancient grain), trim off crust

3 ounces coarsely grated Chedar Cheese (or 2 slices thick Chedar cheese if using singles)

 

Procedure:
Butter all the bread slices on one side only.
Put twos lices of bread, buttered side down, on a cutting board.
Distribute the cheese over the bread slices.
Top with the remaining bread, buttered side up.

Heat a large nonstick pan or griddle over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
Put the sandwich on the griddle cook until the cheese has just begun to melt and the bread is golden brown, about 2 minutes.
Turn the sandwich, pressing each one firmly with a spatula to flatten it slightly.
Cook the sandwich until the bottom is golden brown, about 1 minute.
Turn it  once more and press with the spatula again to recrisp the bread, about 30 seconds. Cut the sandwich in quarter to make 4 little squares

Crispy Bacon

Separate 5 bacon pieces from each other and place them side by side in the cold skillet.
Place the skillet over medium heat.
The bacon will begin to sizzle and turn translucent.
Keep turning the bacon frequently for even cooking until both sides are golden brown.
Remove from pan and transfer on a paper towel to drain. 
Cut in small pieces.